What vaccines do I need for Botswana?

CDC recommends hepatitis A and hepatitis B for most travellers, plus rabies and typhoid for some travellers depending on itinerary. Antimalarial medicine is advised for certain regions.

Is yellow fever required for Botswana?

Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of transmission (including airport transits over 12 hours). It is not recommended for direct travel from the United States.

How long before travel to Botswana should I get vaccines?

Book a travel health appointment 4–6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need multiple doses or a minimum interval before travel, so earlier is better.

Vaccines for Botswana — Required & Recommended

When are you departing?

For most travellers to Botswana, CDC recommends hepatitis A and hepatitis B alongside routine vaccines, with rabies and typhoid suggested for some travellers based on itinerary. Antimalarial medicine is advised for certain regions, and yellow fever proof is needed only if arriving from a country with transmission risk. See a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

Malaria risk is concentrated in the northern districts; take preventive medicine and use mosquito-bite protection in those areas.

Required for entry

No vaccines are currently required for entry to Botswana from most countries.

Exception: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination — Required for travellers arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever virus transmission, including airport transits of more than 12 hours. Not recommended by CDC for direct travel from the United States.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Botswana.

Food & Water

Hepatitis A

A contagious liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Most travellers to regions with less reliable sanitation should get this vaccine.

Two doses at 0 and 6–12 months. Over 90% of people develop protective antibodies within a month of the first dose, so one dose is usually enough for the trip itself. No booster needed after the full series.

Blood & Body Fluids

Hepatitis B

A liver infection spread through blood, sexual contact, and contaminated medical or cosmetic equipment. Recommended for most travellers, especially those with longer stays or possible medical exposure.

The full series is three doses over 6 months. An accelerated 4-dose schedule (0, 7, 21 days, 12 months) is available when combined with Hepatitis A. Partial protection starts after the first dose.

Recommended for some travellers

Depends on your itinerary, activities, duration, or health.

Animal Contact

Rabies

A fatal viral disease spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal — most often dogs, bats, or monkeys. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies treatment after exposure.

Food & Water

Typhoid

A bacterial infection spread through food and water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Risk is higher in rural areas and when eating with locals.

Malaria

Not a vaccine

CDC recommends antimalarial medicine for travellers visiting certain areas of Botswana, including high-risk districts such as Bobirwa, Boteti, Chobe and Ghanzi. There is no transmission in the capital, Gaborone. P. falciparum predominates and is chloroquine-resistant.

Discuss prescription chemoprophylaxis with a travel doctor if your itinerary includes risk areas.

Food & water safety

Moderate risk

Exercise food and water precautions, particularly in rural areas and budget accommodation. Bottled or treated water is advisable. Avoid raw shellfish and salads washed in tap water. Choose cooked food served hot.

Routine vaccines to be up to date on

CDC advises every international traveller to have these current.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Two doses at least 28 days apart, ideally completed at least 2 weeks before travel. Adults born before 1957 or with documented immunity are already considered protected.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis

A single Tdap or Td booster, effective within days. Adults should have a booster every 10 years — or after 5 years if you've had a dirty wound or burn. Pregnant travellers should receive Tdap during every pregnancy.

Polio

A single lifetime adult IPV booster for travellers to at-risk countries. For some destinations, the booster must be received 4 weeks to 12 months before departure and documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination.

Flu (Influenza)

An annual dose at least 2 weeks before travel to areas with active flu circulation. A single current-season vaccine covers travel to either hemisphere.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Two doses at least 28 days apart for adolescents and adults without immunity. Children get doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. Two documented doses protect most people for life.

Shingles

Two doses of Shingrix 2–6 months apart. Protection stays high for at least 7 years. Adults 19+ with weakened immune systems can use a faster schedule (2nd dose 1–2 months after).

COVID-19

Follow the current CDC schedule for your age and risk group. If you had COVID-19 recently, you may delay vaccination for up to 3 months from the onset of infection.

Entry requirements

For US citizens. Non-US travellers should check their government's guidance.

Yellow fever certificateOnly if arriving from a YF-risk country

Avoid freshwater contact to reduce schistosomiasis and leptospirosis risk, prevent bug bites (dengue, African tick-bite fever), and stay away from animals that may carry rabies.

Also in Southern Africa

South Africa Eswatini Lesotho Malawi

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Botswana.

Disclaimer:This information is for general guidance only, based on CDC Travelers' Health. It does not replace advice from a qualified travel health professional. Consult a doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip.